Why is my horse rubbing its tail on fences?

Read time: 3 minutes

Overview

If your horse is rubbing its tail on fences, the most common reason is irritation from flies, midges or sweet itch. It can also be caused by skin discomfort, dirty or sweaty skin, or a problem around the tail and hindquarters, so it’s worth checking a few simple things before assuming it’s just summer itch.

Things To Check

1. Check when the rubbing happens most. If it’s mainly after turnout, in the evening, or on warm still days, flies and midges are more likely to be involved.

2. Look closely at the tail head, dock and around the hindquarters for rubbed hair, scabs, redness, broken skin or thickened areas.

3. Feel for heat, swelling or tenderness around the tail base and nearby skin.

4. Check whether the mane, tail and skin are sweaty, dirty or greasy, as this can make irritation worse.

5. Watch for other signs of fly irritation such as stamping, tail swishing, head shaking or rubbing the mane and body as well.

6. Look for signs of worms, especially if the horse is also itchy around the tail and is rubbing the dock frequently.

7. Consider whether a new rug, bedding, grooming product or turnout routine has changed recently and may be irritating the skin.

Common Causes

Fly bite irritation is one of the most common causes, especially in summer and early autumn. Midges often trigger strong itching around the tail, mane and belly.

Sweet itch can also cause persistent rubbing, usually because the horse is reacting to bites from tiny biting insects. Some horses are much more sensitive than others.

Dirty, sweaty or muddy skin can make the area feel uncomfortable and increase rubbing. Small skin scabs or rubbed patches can then become worse through repeated irritation.

Less commonly, the horse may be reacting to worms, a skin infection, or another skin allergy. Tail rubbing can also happen if there’s soreness around the dock or back end, so it’s best not to assume it’s only flies every time.

What To Do

Start by keeping a simple note of when the rubbing happens and what the weather is like. That often helps you spot a pattern.

Gently inspect the tail area and keep it clean and dry. If the skin is dirty, a careful wash may help remove sweat, dust and debris, but avoid over-washing or harsh grooming if the skin is already sore.

Try to reduce exposure to midges and flies by adjusting turnout times, using shelter where possible and keeping the horse in calmer, less fly-active parts of the day if that suits your management.

If the rubbing is leaving broken skin, the horse seems very uncomfortable, or the problem keeps coming back, it’s sensible to speak to your vet for advice on what’s driving the irritation.

Products That May Help

For horses that rub their tails during fly season, a summer-care routine can be useful as part of everyday management alongside hygiene, turnout adjustments and skin checks.

Horse Fly Sprays & Summer Care

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